Hampstead is one of the wealthiest boroughs in the United Kingdom, meaning its parks are immaculate, and the old buildings are well-preserved. Its affluence and manicured beauty make it the ideal place for up-scale coffee shops, restaurants, wine bars and pubs. So it’s the perfect place for a weekend wander, with a pit stop at one of the quaint eateries.
But with so many options, how do you choose where to go?
I’ve collated a list of the best pubs in Hampstead to grab a pint and some comfort food – so keep reading to find the perfect pub for your next day out!
Best Pubs in Hampstead
Here are some of the best pubs in Hampstead that are worth checking out.
1. The Wells Tavern – Ideal for Sunday Lunch (Even With the Dog)
Price range: £32 – £40.
The Wells Tavern is an ideally situated pub perched beside Hampstead Heath, one of London’s most sought-after and protected green spaces.
The Wells Tavern provides reasonably priced pub grub in a traditional Georgian house setting to transport anyone back a few centuries. The down-to-earth pub provides outdoor seating, board games, a cracking fireplace and some squishy sofas for a homely feel.
The Wells Tavern is a free house, meaning they aren’t limited when it comes to their beer selection. They have eleven beers on tap, some bottled options, and other boozy offerings for the non-lager-lovers.
For Sunday lunch, you can have it your way with beef, venison or chicken with lashings of gravy and a Yorkshire pudding (don’t mind if I do). Not only are they dog-friendly, but they even offer dog food – how thoughtful!
This place fills up quickly, so I recommend booking if you’re planning on heading there for Sunday lunch.
Address: 30 Well Walk, London NW3 1BX, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7794 3785
2. Bohemia House – Traditional Eastern European Food
Price range: £2 – £12.
Although Bohemia House isn’t your traditional old-English pub, you can still get your fix of pints on tap with a meat and potato dish (with a twist!).
Situated in West Hampstead, Bohemia House serves up traditional Czechoslovakian grub accompanied by some Eastern beer. Rich goulash, crispy schnitzel and a variety of potato dumplings; there’s enough stodgy food here to comfort anyone’s stomach.
The restaurant/pub first opened as a meeting place for Czechs and Slovaks in 1946 and continues to serve up a taste of the East for the public to enjoy in a relaxed setting.
Seating-wise, there’s a big beer garden out the back as well as seating inside, with the option to play pool or table football whilst you sip on a crispy Pilsner. Although I’ll admit the interior decor isn’t for everyone, you won’t mind much because the food and booze will steal your attention anyway!
Definitely worth a visit if you fancy something a little different!
Address: 74 W End Ln, London NW6 2LX, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7372 1193
3. The Duke of Hamilton – Historical Pub With a Beer Garden
The Duke of Hamilton has been a port in the storm for the locals of Hampstead for over 400 years and received a spruce-up in 2019, restoring the place to its former glory. Even after the restoration, the premises still maintains a classic Victorian style – but with comfier seating and flushing toilets!
Tucked away in the new end of Hampstead, The Duke of Hamilton has something for everyone. The comprehensive menu includes vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and peanut-free options and a generous dessert menu for pudding fiends (guilty!)
And if you come on the right day, you can head to the basement after your meal to catch a jazz show. The Hampstead Jazz Club hosts intimate live performances on the regular to show off local talent and bring musicians together. You can find more information about performances on the Hampstead Jazz Club website.
With a crackling fireplace for the winter months and a sunny beer garden for the summer, the Duke of Hamilton is the ideal choice for an excellent meal for any occasion.
Address: 23-25 New End, London NW3 1JD, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7916 0595
4. The Flask – Traditional Pub With an Extensive Wine List
Not all pub goers fancy a pint, which is not a problem in the slightest at The Flask. They offer a comprehensive range of wine and even serve magnum wine bottles for the real boozers (or just large tables). Magnums are 1.5-litre bottles of wine, double the standard size – intense, right?
The Flask is praised for its delicious roast dinners, with some people claiming they are the best in Hampstead – but I’ll let you be the judge of that bold claim!
There’s a wide range of ales, with a selection of regulars alongside some guest ales.
The decor is tasteful, incorporating nods to the pub’s history with black and white photos and old prints, whilst still feeling fresh and well cared for. And bonus: they have a sunny yet air-conditioned conservatory and courtyard to dine in.
The relaxed gastropub is tucked away down a narrow street just a stone’s throw from the Hampstead tube station, so there’s no need to stumble far after a night out at The Flask.
The double-egg Yorkshire puddings attract a crowd, so I’d recommend making a booking, especially at the weekend.
Address: 14 Flask Walk, London NW3 1HE, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7435 4580
5. The Holly Bush – Listed Building With Bags of Character
The Holly Bush has established itself in Hampstead as an institution with a cult following and an excellent reputation. Its location may seem unassuming, perched down a narrow residential street, but it will undoubtedly grab your attention the moment you see it.
It was built in the 1790s and is a Grade II listed building, which is evident when you walk inside and marvel at the traditional wood panelling and ceiling beams. The Holly Bush is the textbook definition of an old English pub, so I recommend stopping by to grab a bite.
They serve up sharing roast dinner platters on Sundays to take you back to grandma’s house, but with moist chicken and homemade Yorkshire puds the size of a baby’s head!
Try to head down to The Holly Bush before your tummy aggressively grumbles to avoid getting hangry because the wait times can be a little long here!
Address: 22 Holly Mount, London NW3 6SG, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7435 2892
6. The Stag – Large Beer Selection
Okay, forget the food for a minute; if you’re looking to sample some beer, The Stag is the place to be. The Stag, with its grand high ceilings and ample outdoor space, serves up 60 beers from across the globe – so you’ll have to visit more than once if you want to test them all!
The Stag transforms its outdoor seating area in winter with lights, heaters and cabanas to make the space usable and romantic even when it’s snowing. You can also privately rent out the garden if you need a large space to host a birthday do.
Of course, the food is good and will satiate anyone’s desire for homely, traditional English cooking. They also serve a decent selection of pizzas straight from their swanky pizza oven.
Address: 67 Fleet Rd, London NW3 2QU, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7722 2646
Tips For a Perfect Day Out In Hampstead Pubs
- If you know where you want to go for food, book in advance to save disappointment.
- Leave the car behind, and explore the streets on foot if you can. Some streets are very narrow and have little or no parking, so save yourself the headache and park up and head out.
- Wander up to the top of Parliament Hill to get a lay of the land and to see where Guy Fawkes first thought up the idea to blow up the Parliament (luckily, he failed this quest). The hill is free to walk up and is open 24/7.
- If you’re visiting via public transport, you can shoot for one of two stations. Either head for Hampstead Station on the Northern Line or hop on the Overground Line and get off at Hampstead Heath.